The Hunt for the Blue Palace (Yoon Suin/Troika!)

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Explorer

"Perhaps I can be of assistance?" proposed the lawyer before addressing the hidden archers.

"Hello there, noble archers! I do apologise no end for intruding your territory but, as you can easily observe, me and my fellow companions are, some may say, lost. I do so hope it is not an importune time to disturb your well deserved rest. May I pick your brain and ask you to point us in the right direction? Perhaps I could offer, as indemnity, this humble financial compensation, and by this way, seal a honest gentlemen agreement? I can assure you as soon as this question will be settled, you'll see us on our way. "

Dusty Dragon

One of the archers peers up from the wall. His arrow is tipped with bone. Before he gets to speak, someone behind him cries "Go away Slugman! No Slugmen here! Go home". The archer shushes them then answers.

"If you want to go to the city, go east, that way" , as he points to your right (ie towards the Yellow City).

"We're not interested in you coins. But if you have goods to grade, we can talk. Like food, or weapons"

Dusty Dragon

The archer rubs his chin thoughtfully as someone behinds him whispers harshly "how much wine?!?" "maybe they have soap? oh, or rat on a stick!"

He replies "We can trade. We will gladly accept the wine as a peace offering for the slugman." Another archer besides him pumps his fist and says again"down with slugmen!" and is shushed by the head archer.

He adds: "But for other things, you might need more than a single knife. Do you want knowledge or opium? Ours is really good". Behind him voices add "The best!" "Remember that time Apu tore apart that Ophilone with his bare hands?!?"

Dusty Dragon

With much protest and a bit of whimpering, Dajit, a small, old man wearing a loincloth and some crude, ragged fur tunic, went over the palisade with the help of a rope ladder, which was promptly pulled back once he reached the ground. "Do you think they'll take him hostage?" one voice asked. "We'll pepper them with arrows if they do" answered another. "Won't we risk hitting Dajit?" answered the first. "So?" replied the second.

Adventurer

"We have no plans to kidnap you." Dubai Can assured the man, "But we are not fools. We will present you with items of trade, but you will not take them until we have something of value before us in return."

Dusty Dragon

The chief crossed his arms. "It is said that those expecting betrayal are often not worthy of trust. We shall see if the saying is true."

He held up his hand, one finger extended

"The Ophilones, the yellow-souled spiders, have grown bolder. They come from the south. They are cowards, but will use numbers to overwhelm you. They will eat anything, including human flesh. We have lost two hunters to them."

He held up a second finger.

"To the north, dwarves have been seen seen operating. They only go out at nigh, and attempt to be unseen. They set snares for small animals, and have conversations with hooded figures"

He held up a third finger.

"The Old town is inhabited by an old woman. Some say she his a Sone, a powerful cannibal witch. Some say she wears a dress of iron. But last year, she saved one of our young hunters who was lost and had broken a leg. She is not our foe."

Explorer

Adventurer

Dubi Gan's face fell that none of this information directly tied to his quest, but he had to admit that it was useful to know. He nodded as they gave a knife to Dajit. Then Frog Froth spoke up and he had mixed feelings - they had already once refused coin - they had nowhere to spend it, and they did not like slugmen. But he held out hope that they might say something useful.

Explorer

Adventurer

"You have given us three pieces of information." called Dubi Gan, eagre to get things back on track, "Which is a fair trade for three knives. But what have you for the wine and coin? Perhaps something on the location of the Blue Palace would please us."

He didn't really want to reveal their true mission to these people, but there seemed no indirect way to learn anything of it.

Dusty Dragon

"The wine, as stated, was a peace offering, which we accept. As were the coins, I suppose. " He sighed and added "I know not of this Blue Palace. Our hunters do not wander very far, this is not a safe place. ".

Dajit turns around and speaks up "I... I have heard of this palace. There were rumors in the Yellow City it was a place of refuge. I didn't find it. I found here instead".